Nepal fall short in Asian Cup bid after penalty heartbreak

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, July 7: Nepal’s women’s national football team will return home on Monday after narrowly missing out on a place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

In a dramatic Group F decider on Saturday night in Tashkent, Nepal lost 4–2 to hosts Uzbekistan in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 3–3 draw in regulation time. 

The defeat ended Nepal’s hopes of qualifying for the continental tournament—and with it, their chances of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The match was a winner-takes-all clash, with both teams level on points and goal difference. Per AFC rules, a draw meant the game would be decided by penalties.

Uzbekistan struck early. In the first minute, Feruza Turdiboeva’s long-range shot deflected into the path of Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva, who slotted home. Ten minutes later, Lyudmila Karachik’s low drive was turned into her own net by Nepal’s Samiksha Ghimire, doubling the hosts’ lead.

But Nepal didn’t give up. Captain and star striker Sabitra Bhandari pulled one back in the 24th minute with a stunning strike from outside the box. However, Uzbekistan restored their two-goal cushion in the 39th minute when Maftuna Shoyimova converted a penalty after a handball by Saraswati Hamal.

The game took a turn just before halftime when Uzbekistan’s Nozimakhon Ergasheva was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Sabitra. With a player advantage, Nepal came out strong in the second half.

They made it count. Gita Rana headed in a corner from Rekha Paudel in the 71st minute, and just a minute later, Sabitra scored again to level the match at 3–3.

With no winner in regulation time, the match went to penalties. Sabitra’s opening shot hit the post, and goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar’s effort was saved. Only Gita Rana and Sabita Rana Magar converted their spot-kicks, while Uzbekistan scored all four of theirs to seal the win.

The result sends Uzbekistan to the Asian Cup finals for the first time in 22 years. 

For Nepal, it’s another painful chapter. They have made a habit of losing the crucial matches. Nepali national women team have reached 13 finals in various competitions but remain without a major trophy. 

Nepal had started the qualifiers in dominant fashion, thrashing Laos 9–0 and Sri Lanka 8–0. But Saturday’s loss marked their fourth straight defeat to Uzbekistan and another missed opportunity on the big stage.